Page 48 of Playing My Rivals

“Yes, sir. I’ll get them together and email the links to you as soon as I can.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No. That will be all.” I hang up and pace my office. I’m not sure what I’m looking for on these videos, but I’ll know as soon as I see it.

After meeting with the team about the latest developments on the app, I retreat to my office. I open my computer and notice an email from Efron Security in my inbox—Video Links.

This could break me and Dorothy, so I peer at it, wondering if it’s worth the risk. My stomach turns and knots. But I have to know, so I take a deep breath and open the email. In it are links to the recordings I requested.

I press the call button for Hailey. She picks up quickly. “Hi, Hunter. What can I do for you?”

“I don’t want to be disturbed by anyone for the next two hours. Please make sure no one enters my office and hold all my calls.” I stare at the email, almost unable to breathe.

“Yes, sir. To be clear, would you like me to keep Jonah out as well?”

“Everyone. I have a big deal I’m working on and don’t want to be bothered by anyone.”

“Sure thing. Is there anything else?”

“That will be all.” I hang up and remain frozen, my eyes fixed on the screen.

My heartbeat picks up and my hand goes numb. When I open these links, they’ll show me footage of Dorothy and Jamison’s office. If he’s tried anything with her, I won’t be able to hold myself back. Fury will be unleashed.

I love Dorothy and trust her, but Jamison is another story. It’s that thought that gives me the strength I need to go searching for something I dread.

I grip the mouse as my blood speeds through my veins. My limbs tingle back to life as I click the first link and begin to investigate.

The first half an hour consists of me fast-forwarding through the tapes. They show nothing to be concerned about. The video doesn’t have audio with it, so I can’t hear what they’re talking about, but so far everything appears to be on the up and up.

My breath has returned to normal. I’m about to resign to the idea that I am being overly suspicious when I click on a new video link. This one starts with Dorothy coming into their office. She’s sunburnt, so I know it’s the Monday after our trip to Miami.

She’s studying Jamison and something about it bothers me. Maybe it’s the hopeful hesitation in her eyes that gets me. She has the same look when she wants to kiss me but can’t because we’re in public.

I fast-forward until I see her reach into her bag and pull out a white box. She takes it to Jamison and gives it to him. Right after, he reaches for something out of his belongings and hands it to her. It’s a small box.

What the fuck?

They move to the chairs. Jamison opens his, and it’s hard to make out what it is. My eyes are glued to it. It appears to be a picture frame. There’s a photo of something in it. He runs his fingertips over it and smiles appreciatively at Dorothy.

I want to close the link, but I need to see what Jamison gave her. They have a brief discussion and then she opens her gift.

I can’t believe my eyes when she pulls the locket she wears from the box. Emotion strangles me. I tug at my collar and loosen my tie while the necklace she wears invisibly chokes me.

I’m going to be sick.

There’s no reason for him to give her something like that. It should’ve been me who gave her something so personal.

My chest swirls with unbearable pain. They’re clearly more than casual friends. I cup my face in my hands as my world goes dark.

All logical thinking flies out the window as I try to rationalize everything I’m witnessing. With the heels of my palms, I try to rub the images away from my eyes. My heart fractures, and I try to hold it in place by grasping at my chest.

Thinking that Dorothy’s cheating on me is too much. I stand and pace as my heart jackhammers in my chest. I’ve got to know for sure, so I sit and move through the rest of the videos.

Dorothy and Jamison never hug or do anything that appears to be intimate. A few times, they even seem to argue. I want to believe it’s about work issues, but when things look tense, one of them shuts the door so they can talk in private.

A fresh wave of possessiveness for her forms in my soul. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I’ll do anything to keep her mine.

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